Junior Music at Home 20

Cushion drumming | Singing: Mexican Wave

Enjoy these structured musical activities that we have prepared especially for you to continue your learning at home...

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1. Cushion Drumming

Join in with this YouTube video from Mrs. Durrant that will develop your coordination and rhythm skills.

What to do

Find | You will need a cushion and two sticks (wooden spoons, chopsticks or similar will be fine!) for this activity
Learn | Learn the basic drumming patterns and then play along in a pop song style
Create your own | Invent your own patterns to play along to a backing track

Teaching notes

Recap | What does 'keeping a steady beat' mean? You need to listen closely to stay in time with the backing track
One thing at a time... | It is important to get the patterns secure before playing along to the full backing track

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3. Singing: Mexican Wave

By Sue Nicholls | A SingUp! song

This is a fun echo song all about a Mexican Wave. If you don't know what one is, take a look at this World Record breaking Mexican Wave at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, USA with over 150,000 people!

What to do

Find | You will need to find an empty margarine tub, or a Tupperware with a lid. Plus a bit of uncooked pasta or rice, or a small amount of breakfast cereal.
Watch and follow | Listen and watch the video, and follow Rachel as she teaches the song and the rhythms.
Create | Create your own lyrics using the names of people you know? Start with your own name and say it several times to see how it would fit with the song, then make up your own statement or question. Try this with others' names and perform with the backing track.

Mexican Wave (Backing Track)

(2MB)

Teachers notes

Practice | You may find it useful to practise saying the words rhythmically. Tapping the rhythm of the words and saying them at the same time really helps secure the more challenging syncopated rhythms.
Challenge | Create a new set of lyrics using the names of people in the class. Pupils will need to be aware of how many syllables are in their name to create a suitable question or statement that fits the rhythms.

Keep learning

Continue your musical learning with us with more Music at Home, or find out how you could start learning to play a musical instrument.

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